Guest post by Varun Shukla (@WengerArmy)

“I want more blood” says Arsene Wenger in the papers.  No, he hasn’t turned into a vampire overnight.  He’s definitely not asking the team to go into challenges studs up to inflict flesh wounds.  Asked about his opinion on match fixing in football – specifically on the allegations of Real Sociedad players having used performance enhancing substances, he said “I would support regular blood tests as they are quicker in showing results.”

While that line in itself shows his intellectual capabilities – in the sense that no other manager would have a half-decent opinion on this topic (Martin Jol, Fergie and the rest – can’t imagine them even being asked their opinions on such matters) here’s another extract which shows why he is called The Professor:

“Look at psychological tests that have been done on people who are at the top in all sports.  Ask them if they would take a product that would guarantee them a gold medal or a world championship but mean that they died in the next five years, and 50 per cent people of say they would take it.  That is quite scary.  That is absolutely massive, that is how far people are ready to go to win, in all sports, not just football.  If you go to amateur level and do that test, only two per cent say they would take it.”

What’s really impressive about this interview is the fact that he cares about the sport enough to look beyond short term objectives.  Ask any other manager in the modern era and he’ll say being a manager is all about winning stuff and being comfortable with the board – the usual sporting chatter.  And that’s about it.  Most managers are excellent within the domain of the football pitch and clueless outside of it.

Wenger is equally comfortable discussing the world economy as he is with football.  From talking about the nuances of various cultures around the globe to helping trainers figure out fitness and dietary regimes, he knows it all.  He even had inputs on the new stadium and training centre.  Ask him about the Obama presidency and he’s sure to come up with valid opinions.

His parents owned a bistro, which he admitted was the best thing to happen to him at that age because he picked up pointers in footballing tactics and “a practical, psychological education”.  This would help him later on as a player, where his role on the pitch was ‘the eyes of the coach ’- implementing the manager’s wishes through coordination with his team.  Many, such as Max Hild (his mentor) have said that he was more interested in discussing tactics than playing the game itself!  He had a ‘complete vision of the pitch’ even at that young age.

A large part of this ‘intelligence’ comes down to the human he is.  Of course he has a Masters in microeconomics among other qualifications, but the way he imbibed the positives in the environment around him is what set him apart from the start – be it tactics from the pub, discipline from the Army or the cultural influences that came from living on the Franco-German border; he has always been analytical and methodical in his approach.

How many managers can claim to have a vision of how they want the game to be played?  Sure, they might claim that they ‘like’ a particular style but they change it often.  Wenger wants his teams to play fluid, attacking football with a focus on perfect synergy and understanding.  That is the underlying principle in any of his strategies or tactical changes.  The times that we see an ‘un-Arsenal’ -like performance is more often due to confidence issues with the players and their familiarity with each other than any major tactical errors.

The stadium move is another example of his foresight.  At that time, Manchester United were the only real contenders (along with us) for the league.  He and the club realized that a move to a bigger stadium would increase revenue and eventually result in us becoming a more potent force than ever, able to compete with the very best in Europe.  What no one could foresee was the way this would coincide with massive amounts of money poured into the game by Chelsea and Man City which effectively changed the whole landscape of the league.

The move, which imposed financial restrictions on us, coupled with the oil money, created a huge gulf in terms of resources. He was criticized for Project Youth – buying and promoting young talent from within the Academy when in reality, it was the only logical course. To spend more at that time would have meant ever-increasing debt and a tightening of the banker’s noose around our throats.  He almost won the league in 07/08 and then again in 10/11, for heaven’s sake!  It didn’t help that certain players did not share his vision and belief – they chose to leave at the most inopportune times.
Self sustainability was, and is still the best way to run a football club.  It is the Arsenal Way.

He was criticized again for playing certain players – Ramsey on the wings for example.  That criticism stems from one thing only.  People appreciate the immediate short term results and fail to see what Arsene’s getting at.  Playing on the wings has definitely improved Ramsey’s decision making – we can see that now when he plays in the ‘Arteta role’.  Other recent examples include Mertesacker – who was expected as a ‘defender’ to do the last ditch tackle and clearance routine but in reality his positioning makes up for any lack of speed.  Similarly Giroud – he was widely regarded as van Persie’s ‘replacement’.  He’s not.  He’s a totally different player with a different set of attributes.  His strength lies in hold up play, his physicality and instinct in the penalty area.

Another of Arsene’s noteworthy qualities lies in the way he interacts with the squad.  He allows the players to develop their own opinions about the way they should play the game as long as that does not interfere with the overall philosophy of the team’s playing style.  A positive, friendly environment is created amongst the players through the trust and belief the manager has in them.  He allows the players their freedom as long as they train and play professionally.

Trademark also the fact that he values footballers for the people that they are as well.  One needs only to look at the way Diaby has been trusted time and again and these words:

“He leads a very simple life – doesn’t drink or smoke.  It is unfortunate that he has had these injuries, through no fault of his.  He deserves a chance.”

Almost every time the media manipulate his words and attack him mercilessly, he retorts with a witty comment.  On the other hand, we have Ferguson who belittles referees, teams and journos, Holloway who recently ranted at reporters when asked about Zaha.  Yet Wenger is considered ‘senile’ and Ferguson ‘the greatest ever’.

All this is beside the fact that he has bought into the history and values of the Club with a passion not seen ever before in a manager. On the 125^th anniversary last year, he said:

“ My dream is to see a  manager 1000 years from now addressing Arsenal supporters in much the same way (as now when we are consistent)”.

The man’s whole LIFE is geared to making our club the greatest for generations to come, not winning a tinsel pot to salvage his reputation.  How many times has he taken stick from all corners for his policies, just to defend his vision for the Club?

Just for that he deserves all accolades he can get.  The so called ‘Wenger Out’ brigade can take a hike.  To the Himalayas.  And then fall from the edge of Everest.

For me, Arsene Wenger is the greatest manager of Arsenal Football Club, quite possibly  of all time.